Supporting the Separation of Church and State
Posts Tagged ‘Monique Davis’
Monique Davis Apologizes
Categorized: Democrats
Tagged: Christianity, Monique Davis, Religious Freedom, Tolerance
Monique Davis has apologized to Rob Sherman a whole week after going off on him while he was speaking before the state senate. Her offensive comments earned her the title of Worst Person in the World on Keith Olberman and has gained the attention of bloggers and news organizations throughout the country.
However while Rob Sherman may have accepted her apology Rep. Davis still has a lot of making up to do. Personally I think its probably too little too late but I don’t live in Chicago. Ultimately it will be up to those she represents to decide if she is the type of Democrat they want in office. At least she isn’t using her bigotry as an opportunity to raise money though.
Rep. Davis still needs to apologize to the great number of people who she offended. Saying that “This is the land of Lincoln where people believe in God” is an attack on everyone who does not adhere to Christianity(1). If Rep. Davis cannot bring herself to do this, or does not feel that it is necessary, then I am certain the people of Chicago can find a better Democrat to represent them.
William
WWJV4.com
1: There is a lot of historical evidence that Lincoln, who never joined a church or defended himself against accusations of being a deist or atheist, wasn’t a Christian. Most likely Lincoln believed in Deism, the belief in a creator that is not personally involved in peoples daily lives. Not really important as I don’t expect Rep. Davis to know this but it’s important to bring up as the fundamentalists keep trying to push the myth that America was founded as a Christian nation.
Rep. Davis Worst Person in the World
Categorized: Politics
Tagged: Christianity, Monique Davis, Religious Freedom, Tolerance
Rep. Monique Davis, whom I wrote about yesterday, has been named Keith Olberman’s Worst Person in the World. If you remember Rep. Davis said that an atheist had no right to state their beliefs in front of the Illinois government. I honestly expected an apology and retraction by this point, but maybe I had too much faith in her. Anyhow watch it here.
[youtube width="500" height="394"]http://youtube.com/watch?v=T35_vQms4Ck[/youtube]
Athiests Have No Right to Speak to Government
Categorized: Politics
Tagged: Monique Davis, Religious Freedom, Rob Sherman, Sally Kern, Tolerance
Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) got into a heated exchange with atheism activist Rob Sherman last Wednesday which culminated in her saying that he has no right to be there because of his religious beliefs (or lack thereof). This outburst occurred when Rob Sherman was testifying that Governor Blagojecich’s plan to donate 1 million in tax dollars to Pilgrim Baptist Church is unconstitutional (read about that here).
Here is a short transcript of the conversation, you can read the rest here. They also have audio. From listening to the audio I can say that Rob Sherman stayed calm and polite through the conversation.
Davis: It’s dangerous to the progression of this state. And it’s dangerous for our children to even know that your philosophy exists! Now you will go to court to fight kids to have the opportunity to be quiet for a minute. But damn if you’ll go to [court] to fight for them to keep guns out of their hands. I am fed up! Get out of that seat!
Sherman: Thank you for sharing your perspective with me, and I’m sure that if this matter does go to court—
Davis: You have no right to be here! We believe in something. You believe in destroying! You believe in destroying what this state was built upon.
What makes this more disappointing than the bigoted words of Sally Kern is that Rep. Davis is a Democrat with a strong voting record on reproductive and civil rights and the environment (see voting record here). I have come to accept this kind of religious intolerance from Republicans. I guess these things just go to show show just how deeply the religious right has embedded their intolerance into our society.
If you would like to let Rep. Davis know how you feel about her words here is her contact information. As always please be polite. I would expect an apology will be made shortly. For more reading check out Eric Zorn and PZ Meyers posts on this.
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